Robots in the Sky: Cracking Down on Drone Law

ROBOTS IN THE SKY CRACKING DOWN ON DRONE LAW DRONES ARE LIGHTWEIGHT AIRCRAFT THAT CAN FLY WITHOUT A HUMAN IN A COCKPIT ED CLA $250 SOLD As prices for drones drop below $300, personal drone usage will likely increase. Unit sales of consumer drones is expected to reach 400,000 in 2015. Private drone sales will top $82 billion in their first decade, generating about 100,000 jobs. 55 ↑ PERCENT The Consumer Electronics Association projects $130 million in revenue on consumer drones this year. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates that by 2019 nearly 8,000 civilian drones could be flying throughout the United States. Increasing by 55% from 2014. IN A 2015 REUTERS POLL of respondents said they 42% disapprove of the ownership of drones by private citizens said drones should not be 71% permitted to operate over the property of others 64% 0% wouldn't want their next-door neighbor to have a drone 73 % said consumer drones should be regulated 50% said parents should be allowed to monitor their children using drones DRONES THAT MADE THE HEADLINES SEPTEMBER 2013 APRIL 2014 A Brooklyn man was An Ohio man was arrested after his drone struck two Manhattan skyscrapers and crashed 20 feet away from a pedestrian. charged with a felony because he refused to land a drone flying over a traffic crash scene. JULY 2014 AUGUST 2014 Two Manhattan men were arrested after they flew a drone close to A drone operator was detained after flying over the Bank of America the George Washington Bridge and nearly struck an NYPD helicopter. Stadium during a Kansas City Chiefs-Carolina Panthers game. SEPTEMBER 2014 APRIL 2015 A Hawaii man was tased and arrested for flying a drone at a national park. New York City police arrested a man for allegedly flying a drone inside the U.S. Open venue. MAY 2015 Secret Service detained a man who eyewitnesses say was trying to fly a drone over the White House fence. THE FAA PROPOSES NEW DRONE LAWS 400 Currently, flying model aircraft solely for hobby or recreational reasons does not require FAA approval. So long as they remain below 400 feet and keep a distance from airports. Hobbyist drones can operate largely without permission. On February 15, 2015, the FAA proposed a framework of regulations that would allow routine use of some small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS). While the FAA regulations are unlikely to be finalized until late 2016 or early 2017, drone operators can expect some of these safety rules to be in effect over the next few years. THE FAA'S RULE INCLUDES THESE OPERATIONAL LIMITATIONS: UNMANNED AIRCRAFT MUST: UNMANNED AIRCRAFT OPERATORS MUST: Weigh less than 55 lbs Not operate more than X2 one aircraft at one time Remain within the operator's visual line of sight (unaided by any device other than corrective lenses) Not run careless or reckless operations Not operate over any people not directly involved in the operation Not operate an aircraft if she or he has any known physical or mental condition that may interfere with safe operation. Only operate during daylight with a minimum weather visibility of 3 miles Yield right-of-way to other aircraft, manned or unmanned. These are only some of the FAA's proposed safety guidelines. Stick to a maximum airspeed of 100 mph and maximum altitude of 500 feet above ground level 100MPH The FAA also approved six test sites across the country to conduct research. STATE DRONE LAWS Since drones have been around, 43 states have introduced more ******* In 2013, 13 states enacted 16 laws than 150 bills and resolutions ****** affecting the SUAS industry. In 2014, 35 states debated drone Most of these laws focus on business and public entities like law enforcement, not regulations. just recreational users. **** 11 states enacted or changed their drone laws. STATE DRONE LEGISLATION IN 2014 AK VT- ME WA MT ND MN MA OR NY WI ID SD RI MI WY PA - CT IA NE OH NJ IN NV IL UT wV VA DE CA KS MO KY NC MD TN DC Ок SC AZ AR NM GA MS AL LA TX HI FL Pending SUAS legislation Enacted SUAS legislation Adopted a resolution HERE ARE SOME OF THE LAWS RECREATIONAL DRONE FLYERS SHOULD KNOW: ALABAMA COLORADO CONNECTICUT Drones cannot be used to Drones cannot be used to harass a hunter or fisherman. Weaponizing a drone is considered a felony. help hunters in any way, including scouting CALIFORNIA INDIANA Unlawful photography and surveillance on private property - Prohibits anyone from using a drone to take pictures of a person under circumstances in as a new Class A misdemeanor. LOUISIANA which they had a reasonable expectation of privacy. - And where a picture couldn't have been taken without trespassing if the drone hadn't been used. Conducting surveillance of a targeted facility without the owner's prior written consent is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and 6 months of jail time. MONTANA Information gained from the use of a drone may be admitted as evidence in any prosecution or proceeding within the state only when obtained with a warrant NORTH CAROLINA Prohibits: or through a judicially recognized exception to search warrants. - Damage or disruption of any manned aircraft operations via drones - Possession or deployment of a drone armed with any weapons - Photographing or conducting surveillance on any persons using a drone - Publishing drone-recorded photos without consent (unless the photos are recorded at newsworthy events or events to which the public is invited) PENNSYLVANIA Prohibits the use of unmanned aircraft in a manner that interferes with another person's lawful taking of game or wildlife. Same goes for fishermen. Animal rights activists cannot use drones to monitor hunters. TENNESSEE - It's a Class C misdemeanor to use drone-captured video footage or a hunter or angler without their consent TEXAS WISCONSIN Prohibits the use of a drone to Weaponizing a drone is considered a felony capture images of people or privately owned property with - Drones cannot be used to intentionally conduct surveillance of an individual or the intent to conduct surveillance on the individual or property. their property. SAFETY GUIDELINES KNOWBEFOREYOUFLY.ORG SUGGESTS THESE GUIDELINES FOR SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (SUAS) RECREATIONAL USERS. 400 FEET Fly no higher than 400 feet and remain below any surrounding obstacles. Keep your sUAS in eyesight at all times, and use an observer to assist if needed. Check and follow all local laws and ordinances before flying over private property. Do not fly in adverse weather conditions. Avoid other aircraft and Do not fly under the influence of alcohol or drugs. obstacles at all times. Contact the airport or control tower before flying within five miles of an airport. Do not intentionally fly over unprotected persons or moving vehicles. Remain at least 25 Do not conduct surveillance or photograph persons in areas where there is an expectation of privacy without the individual's permission. feet away from individuals and vulnerable property. Do not fly near or over sensitive infrastructure or property such as: · Power stations - Water treatment facilities - Government facilities - Correctional facilities - Heavily traveled roadways SINCE DRONES GAINED CONSUMER POPULARITY, SAFETY GUIDELINES, STATE LAWS, AND FEDERAL LAWS HAVE BEEN PROPOSED, CHANGED, AND ENACTED. CONSIDERING THE TECHNOLOGY IS RELATIVELY NEW-AND NEW BILLS ARE BOUND TO PASS-IT'S BEST TO KEEP AN EYE OUT ON NEW PROVISIONS IN YOUR STATE. 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